Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet
AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet
Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

Erika Filter, News Editor

Erika Filter is a senior majoring in international affairs from Carson City, Nevada. She leads the Metro beat as one of The Hatchet’s 2023-2024 news editors and previously served as the assistant news editor for the Student Government beat.

All content by Erika Filter
Officials were concerned by counterprotesters' attempts and alleged plans to remove the Palestinian flag that protesters affixed to the George Washington statue in University Yard, emails reveal.

Granberg says GW unable to end ‘illegal’ protest alone

By Faith Wardwell and Erika Filter
May 5, 2024
Jen Psaki during a White House press conference.

Jen Psaki to give keynote address at Commencement

By Erika Filter, Senior Staff Writer
May 1, 2024
An organizer stands at the top of a mountain of barricades Sunday night while another protester waves a Palestinian flag.

Hundreds of protesters overrun barricades blocking off pro-Palestinian encampment

By Erika Filter, News Editor
April 29, 2024
Demonstrators chant outside of the University Yard encampments.

Four days inside the U-Yard, H Street encampments

By Erika Filter and Rory Quealy
April 29, 2024
Officials restrict campus building access amid pro-Palestinian demonstration

Officials restrict campus building access amid pro-Palestinian demonstration

By Jennifer Igbonoba and Erika Filter
April 25, 2024
Erika Filter: Staying stubborn

Erika Filter: Staying stubborn

By Erika Filter, News Editor
April 22, 2024
Commissioners approved a resolution opposing the clearing of a homeless encampment in Triangle Park during a meeting last week.

ANC elects new chair, opposes Triangle Park encampment clearing

By Rory Quealy and Erika Filter
April 19, 2024
Officials speak on continued construction projects on campus.

Panda Express coming to former Beefsteak location in late fall

By Ella Mitchell and Erika Filter
April 18, 2024
The Aston's entrance on New Hampshire Avenue.

DC tentatively sets August move-in date for Aston residents

By Rory Quealy and Erika Filter
April 11, 2024
Chief of Police James Tate stands in the dark basement of Rome Hall, which houses GW’s virtual training simulator.

Inside GWPD’s armed crisis simulation training

By Erika Filter, News Editor
April 8, 2024
The School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Nearly 300 resident physicians, fellows sign petition to expedite union negotiations

By Erika Filter, News Editor
April 3, 2024
Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair Jim Malec, right, pictured at a February meeting.

ANC chair to resign from commission pending move outside district

By Erika Filter and Rory Quealy
April 3, 2024
The West End Library on L Street.

ANC rethinks meeting space as technology issues bubble

By Erika Filter, News Editor
April 1, 2024
The Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners' letter, which opposes restrictions on the power of citizen-approved initiatives.

ANC commissioners resist amendment to ballot initiative process

By Erika Filter, News Editor
March 28, 2024
A wrench lies on a swimmer's block next to the Smith Center swimming pool.

Students anticipate transportation, cost issues after Smith Center swimming pool removal

By Maggie Rhoads and Erika Filter
March 25, 2024
GW Hospital resident William Ballantyne West Jr.

Death of GW Hospital resident sparks calls for improved workplace culture

By Erika Filter, News Editor
March 25, 2024
Community Advisory Team members held their inaugural meeting at the Wilson Building on March 11.

DC to finalize homeless services provider for Aston conversion

By Erika Filter, News Editor
March 25, 2024

GW alum appointed as Palestinian Authority prime minister

By Erika Filter, News Editor
March 21, 2024
Alum resigns from Arizona state house after sexual violence violation at GW revealed

Alum resigns from Arizona state house after sexual violence violation at GW revealed

By Erika Filter, News Editor
March 20, 2024
A block of white paint covers up pro-Palestinian murals at the GroW Garden across from Amsterdam Hall.

Officials remove pro-Palestinian murals at GroW Garden

By Erika Filter, News Editor
March 7, 2024
Readers lounge at tables in the West End Library.

A new bookshelf in West End Library will feature the history of local neighborhoods

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 26, 2024
Peter Sacco, the executive director of four local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, will temporarily remain in a volunteer capacity.

ANC executive director to depart after more than a decade in neighborhood government

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 26, 2024
Posters decrying the disappearance of Kitty Snows were posted throughout the historic Foggy Bottom neighborhood.

Cat-astrophe: Neighbors quarrel after resident takes beloved alley cat

By Erika Filter and Sachini Adikari
February 25, 2024

District judge agrees to hear case that would block Aston shelter

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 22, 2024
ANC Commissioners sit in a meeting this year.

Granberg reaffirms free speech plan at ANC meeting

By Erika Filter and Bryson Kloesel
February 22, 2024
The GWPD offices on 22nd Street.

GWPD arms five additional officers, bringing total to seven

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 15, 2024
Caylee Chan, left, and Hannah Silber, right, pose with their newly adorned composting station.

Students design display around compost bin in District House to promote waste management education

By Erika Filter and Liyana Illyas
February 11, 2024
The entrance to Shenkman Hall on 23rd Street.

Housing, dining prices to uptick next year

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 7, 2024
The GW Hospital on 23rd Street in 2023.

GW Hospital lays off about 60 employees

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 5, 2024
Miriam's Kitchen, housed within the basement of the Western Presbyterian Church on Virginia Avenue.

Q&A: Miriam’s Kitchen outreach director talks The Aston, cold weather services

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 5, 2024
Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair Jim Malec, right, pictured at a February meeting.

ANC disapproves proposed DC Council crime plan

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 5, 2024
Officials closed the Chick-fil-A in District House after they began to revamp the school's dining facilities.

Chick-fil-A to return to campus next fall after two-year hiatus

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 4, 2024
Jack Evans, a D.C. councilmember representing Ward 2, was under review by the Council's ethics board.

Local ANC commissioners pen letter denouncing resurgence of former councilmember

By Erika Filter, News Editor
February 1, 2024
Snow settles on a row of townhouses on New Hampshire Avenue.

DC expands historic homeowner grant to include Foggy Bottom, Old West End

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 29, 2024
Community members linger in Columbia Plaza.

Local businesses report less pedestrian traffic, support business development initiative

By Erika Filter and Norah Woods
January 29, 2024
Cleanup crews scoop discarded clothes and trash into a garbage truck Tuesday.

DC officials clear former homeless encampment at 23rd and I Streets

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 26, 2024
The new University-issued trash and recycling bins, designed to curtail rodents from contaminating waste receptacles.

GW installs outdoor anti-rat trash, recycling bins

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 21, 2024
Tonic at Quigley's, who has implemented a 3 percent service fee.

Local restaurants cut staff, implement fees after tipped minimum wage increase

By Erika Filter and Maggie Rhoads
January 21, 2024
The Aston's entrance on New Hampshire Avenue.

DC government motions to dismiss lawsuit that would block new shelter at The Aston

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 18, 2024
Foggy Bottom residents request additional policing, traffic safety among budget considerations

Foggy Bottom residents request additional policing, traffic safety among budget considerations

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 18, 2024
GW-branded polo shirts hang in the Campus Store in the University Student Center basement.

Opening of new campus store delayed to February

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 16, 2024
Luke Chadwick, an incoming commissioner in the Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission.

New ANC commissioner to prioritize affordable housing, local business support

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 16, 2024
Study finds decline in business traffic, calls for improvement program

Study finds decline in business traffic, calls for improvement program

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 7, 2024
James Bishop IV at a game in December 2022.

GW drops to Fordham in triple overtime

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 6, 2024
Kogan Plaza

District judge approves $5.4 million settlement in tuition refund class action

By Erika Filter, News Editor
January 3, 2024
A pro-Palestinian protest held in the tempietto at Kogan Plaza last December.

A year in review: How Revolutionaries made history in 2023

By Ianne Salvosa and Erika Filter
December 31, 2023
A classroom emergency lockdown button, which locks rooms' GWorld readers and notifies the GW Police Department of emergencies if pressed.

GW updates emergency response protocol after ‘ambiguous’ guidance during September shelter-in-place

By Erika Filter, News Editor
December 28, 2023
Firefighers rescue person stranded in manlift at Smith Center

Firefighers rescue person stranded in manlift at Smith Center

By Erika Filter, News Editor
December 13, 2023
The Aston's entrance on New Hampshire Avenue.

‘It’s a mess’: Aston delays exacerbate housing struggles during hypothermia season

By Erika Filter, News Editor
December 11, 2023
The University Yard entrance to Bell Hall.

Biology students pen letter to officials outlining years of facilities issues in Bell Hall

By Erika Filter and Rachel Moon
December 11, 2023
GW-branded polo shirts hang in the Campus Store in the University Student Center basement.

Factories producing GW clothing improve working conditions, per report

By Erika Filter, News Editor
December 4, 2023
Maryland native Gianmarco Soresi delivers a set at D.C. comedy loft.

DMV native comedian unpacks theatrical background, familial relationships

By Erika Filter, News Editor
November 30, 2023
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A at its monthly meeting in the West End Neighborhood Library in November.

DC delays homeless shelter opening in Aston due to pending lawsuit, difficulty finding provider

By Erika Filter and Max Porter
November 16, 2023
The Aston, pictured in April 2022.

West End property owners file second lawsuit to block conversion of The Aston

By Erika Filter, News Editor
November 13, 2023
The Kogan Plaza Tempietto, pictured in April 2023.

Officials suspend student accused of tearing down posters of Israeli hostages in GW Hillel

By Erika Filter and Rory Quealy
November 9, 2023
A D.C. Metropolitan Police Department vehicle.

D.C. Council unanimously approves Pamela Smith as MPD Chief

By Erika Filter, News Editor
November 9, 2023
Residents sit in anticipation of an Advisory Neighborhood Council meeting.

ANC attendance lags, delaying consideration of agenda items

By Erika Filter, News Editor
November 6, 2023
Nijad Huseynov stands in front of the Google headquarters in California, a company he had hoped to one day work for.

Friends, community members remember graduate student killed in bicycle accident

By Erika Filter and Max Porter
November 6, 2023
A sea of pro-Palestinian protesters flooded Freedom Plaza on Saturday to call for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Tens of thousands march to call for cease-fire, demand end to US aid to Israel

By Cade McAllister, Hannah Marr and Erika Filter
November 6, 2023
GW's Hillel building on the corner of 23rd and H streets in August 2021.

Students say posters depicting Israeli hostages torn down in GW Hillel building

By Erika Filter, News Editor
November 3, 2023
A promotional flyer hangs on the window of Andy's Pizza, which will open later this semester.

Pizza chain to open in Western Market by end of December

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 30, 2023
Fire extinguished at South Hall

Fire extinguished at South Hall

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 26, 2023
An officer keeps watch over a stilled 24th street as authorities rush to locate the runaway suspect Wednesday.

Police apprehend murder suspect who escaped GW Hospital

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 26, 2023
The Dupont Circl Metro Station.

Metro warns of severe service cuts as $750 million budget gap looms

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 26, 2023
Officials postpone Diversity Summit following outcry over anti-Israel demonstration

Officials postpone Diversity Summit following outcry over anti-Israel demonstration

By Erika Filter and Fiona Riley
October 25, 2023
Faculty senators mingle before a meeting earlier this semester.

Faculty pass resolution demanding data on GWPD arming, halting of implementation

By Erika Filter and Fiona Riley
October 23, 2023
D.C. FEMS responds to gas leak near Foggy Bottom Metro

D.C. FEMS responds to gas leak near Foggy Bottom Metro

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 20, 2023
University President Ellen Granberg speaks at a Board of Trustees meeting in October.

Granberg condemns ‘celebration of terrorism’ on campus

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 12, 2023
Students mourn killed Palestinians in candlelit vigil

Students mourn killed Palestinians in candlelit vigil

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 12, 2023
Students light candles at the vigil for Israel Monday.

Officials, SA encourage shared community in response to war in Israel, Gaza

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 10, 2023
University President Ellen Granberg addresses students and families at the Presidential Conversation in Lisner Auditorium in September.

Granberg inauguration set for November

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 5, 2023
Commuters bustle through the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station.

Metro reports uptick in ridership, customer satisfaction

By Erika Filter, News Editor
October 5, 2023
Cloudy skies hang over the U.S. Capitol.

Congress evades government shutdown with stopgap funding

By Liyana Illyas and Erika Filter
October 2, 2023
University issues alert on missing person near GW Hospital

University issues alert on missing person near GW Hospital

By Erika Filter, News Editor
September 27, 2023
University spokesperson Julia Metjian said nine shuttles that carry between 24 and 28 passengers currently operate at peak commute times.

GW partners with Reston Limousine, orders new fleet of Vex shuttles

By Erika Filter, News Editor
September 25, 2023
Adam Aaronson, the assistant vice president of construction management and campus planning, stands before Commissioners Dasia Bandy, Ed Comer and Jim Malec.

Officials present plan to remodel Smith Center to ANC

By Erika Filter and Max Porter
September 21, 2023
Residence Hall Association hall council candidates plastered posters throughout campus buildings this month ahead of last week’s elections.

Residents vie for RHA hall council spots

By Erika Filter, News Editor
September 18, 2023
A D.C. Metropolitan Police Department vehicle.

Man found shot in Washington Circle transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

By Erika Filter, News Editor
September 18, 2023
The George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum on 21st Street.

GW Museum and Textile Museum unanimously votes to unionize

By Erika Filter, News Editor
September 14, 2023
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith speaks in Sep.

MPD announces reward for information on homicide suspect who escaped GW Hospital

By Grace Chinowsky and Erika Filter
September 7, 2023
The GW Police Department headquarters along 22nd Street.

GWPD arms two officers, plans to arm four more

By Erika Filter, News Editor
September 6, 2023
Images From the Scene: Police on manhunt for escaped homicide suspect

Images From the Scene: Police on manhunt for escaped homicide suspect

By Taytum Wymer and Erika Filter
September 6, 2023
Solo studiers scorn student center revamp

Solo studiers scorn student center revamp

By Erika Filter, News Editor
August 28, 2023
University officials constructed fried chicken shop Absurd Bird as the newest GWorld vendor to join the student center, along with Indian fast casual spot Chaat House.

What changed on campus over the summer? A quick rundown

By Erika Filter, News Editor
August 28, 2023
The GWPD offices on 22nd Street.

GWPD to arm top two officers

By Grace Chinowsky and Erika Filter
August 28, 2023
Residence Hall Association President Vero Famadas said the RHA plans to establish hall councils in nontraditional residence halls, including Strong Hall — which houses the Chi Omega, Pi Beta Phi and Kappa Alpha Theta sororities.

RHA prioritizes outreach to first-years, Greek life houses

By Erika Filter, News Editor
August 21, 2023
The Office of the Board of Trustees on 21st Street.

Trustees name new secretary, vice president for board relations

By Erika Filter
August 20, 2023
The Aston, pictured in April 2022.

West End property owners, GW spar in suit to block conversion of the Aston to shelter

By Erika Filter and Max Porter
August 8, 2023
Officials shut down 'nonessential' University operations due to storm, tornado risk

Officials shut down ‘nonessential’ University operations due to storm, tornado risk

By Erika Filter
August 7, 2023
Jack Gipson, a rising sophomore living in West Hall, said the Vern lost power at about 5:30 p.m., during the peak of the storm.

Thunderstorm rumbles through D.C., leaves Vern residents without power

By Erika Filter and Hannah Marr
July 29, 2023
The Aston, pictured in April 2022.

ANC adjourns without appointing advisory team after infighting, racist remarks

By Erika Filter and Max Porter
July 28, 2023
University President Thomas LeBlanc and three other local college presidents announced their support for D.C. statehood ahead of a congressional hearing on the issue Thursday.

D.C. Board of Elections allows ballot initiative on ranked choice, open primaries

By Erika Filter
July 28, 2023
The posted menu features "bussdowns" like jerk yardbird, sofrito shrimp and citrus pork ranging from $13 to $14 per portion. Sides include "gangsta mac," brandied yams and plantain for between $6 and $8.

Pan-African restaurant “The Bussdown” to open in Western Market

By Erika Filter
July 21, 2023
The simplest option, the cheese varenyky, added extra chewiness and uniformity to the dumpling.

Dish of the Week: Ruta’s Varenyky

By Erika Filter
July 21, 2023
Christopher Sterling, pictured here in 2016, was a professor of media and public affairs at the University from 1982 to 2016.

Former SMPA professor, research award namesake dies at 80

By Erika Filter
July 13, 2023
Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), pictured here in 2016, said her idea for the proposed bill came from a Milken Institute of Health report published in May.

Norton to propose bill expanding NPS involvement in D.C. parks using Milken report

By Erika Filter
July 6, 2023
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